Introduction
Are you living like you truly belong to Jesus, while still honoring the authorities, pressures, and expectations of the world around you? Here is the central truth I want you to grasp: Jesus calls me to render to earthly authorities what belongs to them, but to render to God what belongs to Him, my whole life as His image-bearer.
As we walk through Mark 12:13–17, we step into a moment filled with the same tension many of us feel today. Jesus is being praised as King, yet He’s standing inside a world ruled by another power. How does He respond when competing “higher powers” seem to demand our allegiance?
Main Points
Are you living like you truly belong to Jesus, while still honoring the authorities, pressures, and expectations of the world around you? Here is the central truth I want you to grasp: Jesus calls me to render to earthly authorities what belongs to them, but to render to God what belongs to Him, my whole life as His image-bearer.
As we walk through Mark 12:13–17, we step into a moment filled with the same tension many of us feel today. Jesus is being praised as King, yet He’s standing inside a world ruled by another power. How does He respond when competing “higher powers” seem to demand our allegiance?
Opposition Unites To Stop Jesus
Mark tells us, “They sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words” (Mark 12:13). These groups normally opposed each other.
- Pharisees loved the Law, national identity, and longed for independence from Rome.
- Herodians were comfortable with Rome’s rule and aligned with Herod’s political order.
Yet here they are, united for one purpose: to trap Jesus. That’s often how opposition to Christ works. People who disagree about many things can suddenly agree on one thing: resisting the authority of Jesus. This is part of the storyline leading to the cross, attempt after attempt to slow Him down, discredit Him, and ultimately destroy Him (cf. Mark 11:18).
When you feel pressure from different directions, remember: you’re not the first disciple to live in a world where Christ is opposed and where alliances form against Him.
Flattery And False Choices Are Traps
They begin with flattering words: “Teacher, we know that You are true… and teach the way of God in truth” (Mark 12:14). Ironically, they’re speaking truth while acting in deception.
Flattery is dangerous because it tries to make us answer for approval rather than answer in faithfulness. It’s like perfume, meant to be noticed, not swallowed. Jesus will not be guided by the fear of man, and neither can we.
Then comes the loaded question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mark 12:14). It’s a forced “yes or no,” designed to create a lose-lose outcome:
- If Jesus says yes, He sounds like a collaborator and disappoints those longing for deliverance from Rome.
- If Jesus says no, He can be accused as a rebel, a threat to Rome.
The world still pressures us into false dichotomies. It wants to place us into neat camps and force answers that signal political allegiance rather than biblical wisdom. But Jesus shows us another way: truth that cannot be manipulated.
Jesus Sees The Heart Behind Questions
“But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, ‘Why do you test Me?’” (Mark 12:15). Jesus isn’t just answering a question, He’s revealing what’s inside the questioners.
Hypocrisy isn’t only when actions don’t match words. It’s also when questions don’t match the heart, when someone asks not to learn, but to trap; not to obey, but to justify unbelief.
This matters for discipleship. When you bring questions to God’s Word, ask yourself gently and honestly:
- Am I truly seeking truth so I can follow Jesus?
- Or am I seeking an argument so I can avoid surrender?
Jesus welcomes sincere wrestlers. But He refuses to be used as a tool in someone else’s game.
Render To Caesar Without Worshiping Caesar
Jesus asks for a coin: “Bring Me a denarius” (Mark 12:15). Then He asks, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Mark 12:16). They answer: Caesar’s.
Jesus concludes: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17).
That is a real, grounded acknowledgment: human government has a legitimate place under God’s providence. Order is better than chaos. God uses governing authorities to restrain evil and structure society (this aligns with the broader biblical witness, such as Romans 13). So yes, paying taxes can be an act of obedience to God, not just compliance with man.
But notice what Jesus does: He allows the coin to go back to Caesar, while refusing to let Caesar claim what belongs only to God. Earthly authority is real, but it is never ultimate.
Render To God What Bears His Image
Jesus finishes with the sentence that changes everything: “And [render] to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Here’s the key connection Jesus invites us to see. Caesar’s image is stamped on coins, so the coin belongs to Caesar. So where is God’s image stamped?
Genesis answers: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26–27). God doesn’t mint coins to show His kingdom. He places His image on people.
That means when Jesus says, “Render to God what is God’s,” He is calling for more than religious activity. He is calling for you.
- Your life belongs to God.
- Your worship belongs to God.
- Your mind, conscience, heart, and obedience belong to God.
- Your identity and mission belong to God.
Governments may tax your income, but they cannot own your soul. You are made to bear God’s likeness in the world, like a living “currency” of His kingdom, sent into workplaces, schools, homes, and neighborhoods so others encounter His rule through His people.
Live Renewed Into Christ’s Image
If we are God’s image-bearers, discipleship is the lifelong process of becoming what we were made for, and what sin has distorted.
God is working in you for that purpose: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God… For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:28–29). God’s “good” is not merely comfort; it is conformity to Christ.
And that renewal has practical shape. Scripture calls you to put off the old ways and put on the new life:
“Put off… anger, wrath, malice… filthy language… do not lie… and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:8–10).
So I want to disciple you into a simple, daily practice:
- When you feel the world pressuring you into extremes, remember you belong to Jesus.
- When you’re tempted to fear people’s opinions, remember flattery is not your guide, truth is.
- When you’re unsure how to live faithfully under earthly authority, render what is required, without giving your worship away.
- And every day, consciously render yourself to God: “Lord, take my life. Make me look like Your Son. Send me where You want.”
Conclusion
Jesus does not ask you to choose between being a responsible citizen and being a faithful disciple. He teaches you to see clearly: give earthly authorities what belongs to them, but give God what bears His image, your entire life.
Caesar may stamp metal. God has stamped you.
So as you navigate the tensions of your time, don’t be trapped by false choices. Live with settled allegiance: taxes may be rendered to a nation, but worship, obedience, identity, and ultimate loyalty are rendered to the King who conquered sin and death.
Father in heaven, thank You for the wisdom of Jesus and the clarity of Your Word. Help me to honor rightful earthly authority without ever giving it the place that belongs to You alone. Forgive me for the ways I fear people, get pulled into false choices, or try to protect my comfort instead of obeying Your truth.
Lord, I render myself to You, my mind, my heart, my body, my time, and my future. Renew me into the image of Your Son. Make my life a faithful witness wherever You send me, so that Your goodness and authority would be seen through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Conclusion
Jesus does not ask you to choose between being a responsible citizen and being a faithful disciple. He teaches you to see clearly: give earthly authorities what belongs to them, but give God what bears His image, your entire life.
Caesar may stamp metal. God has stamped you.
So as you navigate the tensions of your time, don’t be trapped by false choices. Live with settled allegiance: taxes may be rendered to a nation, but worship, obedience, identity, and ultimate loyalty are rendered to the King who conquered sin and death.
Closing Prayer
Father in heaven, thank You for the wisdom of Jesus and the clarity of Your Word. Help me to honor rightful earthly authority without ever giving it the place that belongs to You alone. Forgive me for the ways I fear people, get pulled into false choices, or try to protect my comfort instead of obeying Your truth.
Lord, I render myself to You, my mind, my heart, my body, my time, and my future. Renew me into the image of Your Son. Make my life a faithful witness wherever You send me, so that Your goodness and authority would be seen through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.